Chinese publishers have done an unprecedented volume of copyright deals at the Frankfurt Book Fair, sealing contracts for 2,192 copyright items so far, a Chinese official said Saturday.

This was the biggest ever copyright trade for China at the annual Frankfurt fair, the world's biggest book gala.

Of the total contracts, Chinese publishers have imported 1,310 copyright items, and exported 882 titles to foreign counterparts, said Zhang Fuhai, a senior official from the Chinese delegation, at a press conference.

China is the Guest of Honor at this year's book fair and 223 publishing houses from the Chinese mainland participated.

Zhang attributed the sharp rise in copyright trade volume to China's role as the Guest of Honor as well as to China's rising influence generally in the world.

Zhang said he expected more contracts to be inked by Chinese publishers before the fair ends on Sunday.

The Chinese government has adopted a "going-out" strategy, which encourages Chinese publishers to export more book copyrights abroad in a bid to promote Chinese culture at large.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2009)